Comforter with dual warmth characteristics designed for convenient re-orienting in any direction

ABSTRACT

A comforter having dual warmth characteristics is provided. An internal median line of the comforter creates a division of two halves, both resembling its counterpart in appearance but differing in warmth retentiveness, providing either a greater warmth for the lower extremities of its occupant(s) than for their upper body or when oriented differently, a portion for a second occupant which is warmer than the portion for the first.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Comforters have been altered in many ways, different embodimentsproviding for different levels of warmth for the lower extremities, andothers providing different warmth for multiple occupants. But none untonow have provided for both.

[0002] In addition to not being previously disclosed, said invention hasgained an increasingly wide market, as the measurements of the varioussizes of mattresses across the nation are not only being shaved or addedto in surface measurements, but also varying greatly in depth. Thus,comforters and sheets which are intended to be specific in theirlongitudinal and lateral draping over the sides of the mattress, are nowoften unable to fit just as intended for any size rating of bed. Forexample, a Double bed, generally measuring 54″ in width by 75″ in lengthfrom most manufacturers, may be 57″ by 74″ from another, each withdifferent mattress depths as well! So, a more universal squarecomforter, such as that disclosed herein, is increasingly viable.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,995 to Wu provides a comforter with differentwarmth characteristics for two occupants with a light side, a warm side,and a transitional area between, with specific stacked layers.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,125 to Owenby details a comforter whichprovides a warmer lower portion than the upper portion.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,284 to Marquette describes a comforter usinga one-weave manufacturing process with two halves of different warmthcharacteristics for two occupants.

[0006] None of these, nor other patents, however, provide all that thedisclosed invention offers, nor the versatility of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a comforterwhich has dual warmth characteristics, which may be oriented in anydirection without loss of comfort or coverage, thus providing extrawarmth for the lower extremities or for a second occupant according touser's preference

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide acomforter which is aesthetically pleasing, having the appearance of a“normal” comforter by having a similar thickness and appearance acrossthe exterior of the comforter, the evidence of the two halves being onlythe chosen method used to indicate them.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide acomforter which more universally fits bed sizes that are slightlydifferent in measurements than what is typical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention as set forth in the appended claims is regarded asthe invention. A better understanding of said invention may be had whentaken in conjunction with the following description and accompanyingdrawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the comforter in its preferredembodiment, as it would appear covering a standard Queen mattress, withdimensions equivalent to actual measurements, with comforter oriented soas to provide differing thermal characteristics to the left and righthalves.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the comforter in its preferredembodiment, as it would appear covering a standard Queen mattress, withdimensions equivalent to actual measurements, with comforter oriented soas to provide differing thermal characteristics to the upper and lowerhalves.

[0013]FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of thecenterline of the comforter portraying the partitioning of the twohalves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The following is a description of the preferred embodiments ofthe present invention in specifically detailed form, not intending tolimit the scope of the claims, but rather as a means of expressing theinvention in its most practical and preferred form.

[0015] The present invention in its preferred embodiment is comprisedmost generally of a comforter 10, which is square so as to be easilyoriented in any of four directions comfortably and with equal coverage,and is comprised most generally of a sheet fabric casing 20 illustratedbest in the cross-sectional diagram in FIG. 3; internal stitching 11partitioning the comforter into two distinct halves 12 and 13(visibility of dotted line referring to stitching 11 in FIGS. 1 and 2for illustrative purposes only); and each of said halves 12 and 13filled with two distinct fillers 21 and 22, which are different in heatretention but not in thickness or appearance.

[0016] Said side 12 is filled with any highly heat retentive thermofill21, while the other side 13, is filled with a less heat retentivethermofill 22. These said fillers 21 and 22 may be the same material butin a denser and lighter state for said two halves 12 and 13, or mayconsist of different materials, or may consist of any other suitablecombination for providing different thermal characteristics for said twosides 12 and 13. At the joining edge of said two halves 12 and 13, saidfillers 21 and 22 are stitched together 11 so as to prevent the shiftingof each said filler 21 and 22 to opposite said halves 12 and 13. Themethod for separating said two halves 12 and 13 is internal within saidsheet casing 20 so as to not be visible from the outside of thecomforter, and does not noticeably increase or decrease the thicknessalong said joining line 11. An example of such a method is thefeathering of one said filler 21 or 22 and the overlapping underneathand above the other said filler 21 or 22, and stitching 11 both joiningand separating said two halves 12 and 13.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment, said comforter 10 is stitched in asomewhat loose design pattern 14 such as that which is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. Said stitching 14 secures the top and bottom cloths ofsaid sheet casing 20 together with said fillers 21 and 22 so that theyare altogether prevented from shifting.

[0018] Said sheet casing 20 is sewn around its perimeter 15 in asuitable method such as that which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, soas to retain the fillers 21 and 22 from escaping said comforter 10. Inthe preferred embodiment, tags 16 and 17 would indicate the warmer andthe less warm side. Said tags 16 and 17 would be preferably small so asto avert having attention drawn to them, and would consist of indicativecolors as well as words, such as a dark blue tag 16 indicating the sidewhich retains heat to a higher degree, and a lighter blue tag 17 on theside which retains heat to a lesser degree.

What is claimed as new is as follows:
 1. A comforter of generally squareshape, comprising: an internal median line dividing the filler battinginto two distinct halves, each half being filled with a filler materialdifferent than the other half, the compositions of which yield similarthickness but provide different warmth retentive qualities, saidcomforter being easily oriented with any of the four edges beingparallel to the bottom edge of the bed, also comprising a method ofindication as to which portion provides greater heat retentive qualitiesand which provides less
 2. A comforter as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe form of indicating halves is comprised of a tag or label on theouter cover of each half, the two labels being darker and lighter thanthe other, the darker color indicating the warmer portion and thelighter color indicating the side of less warmth
 3. A comforter as setforth in claim 1, wherein there is alternatively any other suitablemethod for differentiating the two separate portions
 4. A comforter ofgenerally square shape, comprising: an internal median line dividing thefiller batting into two distinct halves, each half being filled with afiller material different than the other half, the compositions of whichprovide different warmth retentive qualities, said comforter beingeasily oriented with any of the four edges being parallel to the bottomedge of the bed, also comprising a method of indication as to whichportion provides greater heat retentive qualities and which providesless
 5. A comforter as set forth in claim 4, wherein the form ofindicating halves is comprised of a tag or label on the outer cover ofeach half, the two labels being darker and lighter than the other, thedarker color indicating the warmer portion and the lighter colorindicating the side of less warmth
 6. A comforter as set forth in claim4, wherein there is alternatively any other suitable method fordifferentiating the two separate portions
 7. A blanket of generallysquare shape, comprising: a median line dividing the blanket into twodistinct halves, the two halves consisting of a different weaveresulting in different warmth retentive qualities, said blanket beingeasily oriented with any of the four edges being parallel to the bottomedge of the bed, also comprising a method of indication as to whichportion provides the warmer and which provides less warmth
 8. A blanketas set forth in claim 7, wherein the form of indicating halves iscomprised of a tag or label on the outer cover of each half, the twolabels being darker and lighter than the other, the darker colorindicating the warmer portion and the lighter color indicating the sideof less warmth
 9. A blanket as set forth in claim 7, wherein there isalternatively any other suitable method for differentiating the twoseparate portions Comforter with dual warmth characteristics designedfor convenient re-orienting in any direction